Shoe holding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A shoe-holding apparatus for use in removably supporting a shoe for repairing, polishing, or the like, including an elongate frame having an upper surface adapted to supportingly engage the undersurface of the shoe sole. A shoe-gripping construction includes convergingly operative forward and rearward grip members for clampingly engaging respectively the forward sole edge at the shoe toe and the heel edge at the back of the shoe. The forward grip member is operative through a leaf spring and a helical tension spring, causing compound gripping action on the shoe sole toe edge in directions both rearwardly and downwardly of the shoe sole supporting frame. The shoe gripping mechanism and action is selectively variable in position and tension for accommodating various shoe shapes and sizes.

PATENTEDJUH 13 are 3. 668 733 sum 1 of s United States Patent' Ring [451 June 13, 1972 [54] SHOE HOLDING APPARATUS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Raymond M, Ring, Seminole' Fla. 993,084 5/1965 Great Britain 248/206 R [73] Assignee: Aloma Products, Inc., Altamonte Springs, prima Examiner Leon G Machlin Fla' Attorney-Duckworth & Hobby [22] Filed: March l, 1971 57 ABS TRACT [2l] Appl. No.: 119,459 l A shoe-holding apparatus for use in removably supporting a shoe for repairing, polishing, or the like, including an elongate U.S. Cl frame having an upper surface adapted to Supponingly engage the undersurface of the shoe sole. A shoe-gripping construc- [58-] F'eld of Search "15/ 267 23382/23613 112756 112837 tion includes convergingly operative forward and rearward grip members for clam in y engaging respectively the for- P 56] Rferens Cited ward sole edge at the shoe toe and the heel edge at the back of the shoe. The forward gripmember is operative through a leaf UNITED STATES PATENTS spring and a helical tension spring, causing compound gripping action on the shoe sole toe edge in directions both 1,193,831 8/1916 SChUyieI 15/267 rearwardly and downwardly of the shoe sole supporting frame. 726748 4/1903 Polso" The shoe gripping mechanism and action is selectively varia- David l5/267 ble in position and tension for accommodating various shoe shapes and sizes.

4 claims, s Drawing Figures SHEET 20F 3 PATENTEDJUH 13 |972 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to shoe-holding devices generally and particularly relates to such devices for supporting a shoe in a manner permitting free access to the shoe upper surfaces for polishing, maintenance, or the like.

Prior art shoe-holding devices generally v include mechanisms adapted for clamping a shoe sole or heel in a direction transversely of the shoe length. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,l91,209, 1,968,785 and 2,950,496 illustrate such devices. A problem of particular import in the design of prior art shoeholding devices concerns the diiculty often experienced by a user in effecting a proper adjustment of the device. Many prior art devices include intricate or complicated adjustment mechanisms difcult or awkward to adjust and requiring considerable dexterity in mounting a shoe in the device. The shoe toe upper portion is generally unsupported or in a pliable condition; this particularly hampers polishing the toe parts of a shoe. In transversely clamping a shoe, the soft leather upper areas may be wrinkled and a proper shine or polished surface may not be readily obtained. j

' The instant inventionl obviates many of the above mentioned objectionable features of the prior art particularly in providing shoe-holding mechanisms wherein the clamping or gripping forces are applied lengthwise of a shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The shoe-gripping action of the device of the instant invention brings the shoe toe downward as the shoe is gripped lengthwise, stretching `the shoe upperleather surfaces and providing a firm taut leather condition. The taut leather surfaces may readily be polished to a high luster. The shoegripping apparatus is of durable design without intricate or complex parts subject vto malfunction. The shoegripping mechanism of the apparatus does not include threaded clamps or the like, and readily accommodates various shoe shapes andsizes without adjustment or rearrangement of the shoegripping mechanism of the apparatus. The shoe-holding apparatus is of substantially simple mechanical design admitting of economical manufacture or marketing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from a study of the written description and the drawings in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shoeholding apparatus in accordance with the present invention, with a shoe being held thereby; t

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 without a shoe therein;

FIG. 3 is a rear side elevation ofthe apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the apparatus with parts of the shoegripping construction broken away for clarity of description;

FIG, 5 is a vertical plane sectional view taken longitudinally of the shoe-gripping construction of the apparatus and on the line 5-5 ofFlG. 4;

' FIG. 6 is a vertical plane sectional view taken transversely of the shoe-gripping construction and on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a broken plane sectional view taken as on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a horizontal plane view, partly in section, taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The shoe-holding apparatus of the present invention is designated generally by numeral 1l and is shown and described in conjunction with a conventional shoe S having a toe section T, a thick sole defining a sole edge B and a heel section H defining a heel from surface F. The shoe-holding apparatus l 1, in its preferred form, includes a shoe-gripping corrstruction 13, and elongate frame 15, forward and rearward grip members 17, 19 and forward and rearward spring members 21, 23. The apparatus further includes a pedestal assembly 25 for mounting the shoe-gripping construction 13 on a support surface indicated SS.

Frame l5 of the shoe-gripping construction 13 includes a main part 27 and a top plate 29 fixedly secured on the top surface 31 of part 27 by countersunk screw elements 33. The opposite edge marginsof the top plate 29 are flush respectively with the opposite side surfaces of the frame part 27. The top plate 29 defines a horizontal upper surface 35 adapted to flatwise engage and support the undersurface of the shoe. Top plate 29 is oppositely flared as at 37 for providing additional lateral support for the sole of the shoe on the frame l5. An abutment lug 39 is integrally formed on the top surface of plate 29 for engaging the front surface F of the shoe heel.

Spring members 21, 23 preferably are helical tension springs and simultaneously coact convergingly urging the forward and rearward grip elements 17, 19. Rearward spring member 23 also is operative in urging the rearward grip member 19 toward the abutment lug 39 and in edgewise clamping the heel of a shoe. Forward grip member 17 is preferably C-shaped when viewed in profile with the forward grip member formed of wire stock and including vertical portions 41 and horizontal portions 43 and 45.`The horizontal bight portion 45 of the forward grip member 17 is arcuate shaped corresponding generally with the convention arcuate fonn of the seam line L of the shoe. A thin narrow leaf element 47 which may be made of spring steel is attached to the forward grip member 17 by a triangular platevelement 49.

Weld beads 5l provide means of fixedly securing-the forward end of the leaf element 47 and the grip member leg portions 53 to the under surface of the triangular plate 49. Forward grip member 17 and element 47 form a grip assembly 55 adapted to be retracted by the helical spring member 2l.

Spring member 21 is operably received in an elongate chamber 57 formed longitudinally and centrally in the frame part 27. The forward eye end of spring 2l is articulatingly connected to a hook portion 59 struck from the rearward end of the leaf 47.' Parallel extending opposing guide grooves 6l, formed in the upper portion of the frame part 27 provide guide means for receiving the leaf element 47 and guidingly constrain the forward grip assembly 55 in translational movement longitudinally of the shoegripping construction. The top plate 59 provides a cover for the elongate chamber 57 and affords a guide structure guiding the leaf element 47. The under surface of the t'op plate- 29, in conjunction with the guide grooves 6l define guide channel structure formed longitudinally in the upper portion of the frame, constraining the leaf spring in translational shifting movement generally parallel of the upper frame surface 35.

The forward extremity of the plate 27 denes tennnal guide structure 63 extending transversely of the leaf spring at wardly. The upward flexing of the leaf spring element 47 provides auxiliary spring means operative with the spring member 2l, binding the shoe sole edge between the frame upper surface and the bight portion 45 of the forward grip member.

The forward spring means of the apparatus preferably includes hand operative, selectively adjustable, spring anchor means for pennitting retractive positioning and tensioning of the forward grip member 17 and in accommodating different shoe sizes. The adjustable spring anchor means preferably includes a crosspin 65 transversely securedon therearward eye of the spring 2l. The crosspin 65 is received in a through opening 67 formed in the rearward upper section ofthe frame 15. Finger grip knobs 69 are secured on opposite end portions of the crosspin 65. The knobs 69 are adapted to be simultaneously grasped and the crosspin moved rearwardly against the tension of the Spring 21 in mounting a shoe on the shoegripping construction 13.

A forward pair of hooks 71 and a rearward pair of hooks 73 preferably permit selective positioning of the crosspin 65 and variable adjustment of the forward grip member. The forward pair of hook elements 71 are formed by rearwardly opening coaxially aligned recesses formed in the rearward wall structure 75 of the spring chamber 57. The rearward pair of hook elements 73 are formed on the forward portion of a rectangular plate member 77 fixedly secured in the floor of a groovelike chamber 79 formed in the rearward section of the frame part 27. The groove-like chamber 79 communicates with the opening 67 and is open at the rear end of the frame structure. In adjusting the position or spring tension of the forward grip member 17, a user has only rto simultaneously grasp the opposite pair of nger grip knobs 69 and manipulate the crosspin 65 to engage a selected pair of hooks 71 or 73.

. The rearward grip member 19 is generally T-shaped including a curved horizontal upper section 81 and a vertical lower section 83. The grip member 19 is constrained in longitudinal movement in the rearward section of the frame by an angle-shaped guide 85 and a guide pin 87. The guide 85 and pin 87 are fixedly secured together by a screw fastener 89, clamping the vertical leg portion of the guide 85 to the vertical section 83 of the grip member 19. The horizontally extending pin 87 and horizontal leg portion 93 of the guide 85 are located in bore opening 95 and a grooveway 97 is formed in the frame structure. A plate 99 is fixedly secured by screw elements 101 to the undersurface of the frame. Plate 99 spans the grooveway 97 and provides slide means constraining the rearward grip member in fore and aft translational movement.

Spring 23 of the rearward grip member is longitudinally received in the chamber 79. The rearward eye end of spring 23 is fitted in a transverse opening 103 in the shank portion of a connecting pin 105 extending perpendicularly from the inward side of the vertical portion 83 ofthe rearward grip member. The forward eye portion of the spring 23 is fitted -around the shank portion of an anchor screw 107 extending through an opening 101 in plate member 77. Anchor screw is threadly fixed in the frame l5, and in addition to providing anchor structure for spring 23, also secures plate member 77 on the floor surface of the chamber 79. A depending handle portion 111 of the vertical portion 83 of the rearward grip member 19 preferably provides hand grip means for retractive movement of the grip member against the tension of spring 23. Sharp pointed protrusions 113 preferably are formed on the inside surface of the rearward grip member upper section 8l for engaging the back surface of shoe heel and increasing the action for holding a shoe on the shoe-gripping construction 13. In like manner, sharpened protrusions 115 are located on the rearward portion of top plate 29 providing additional antislip means in the shoe-holding action of the apparatus.

The pedestal assembly 26 includes an elongate body 117 having a base portion 119 and an apex portion 121. The base portion 119 is removably secured to the support surface SS by .vacuum grip mechanism 123. Shoe-gripping construction 13 is removably supported on the apex portion 121 by stud and socket union means 125, 127. Stud 125 is fixedly secured to the frame l5 of the shoe-gripping construction and is located in socket structure 127 formed in the body 117 of the pedestal structure. Adjustment screw means including a thumb screw member 129 provides means for removably securing the shoegripping construction 13 on the pedestal structure.

The vacuum grip mechanism 123 includes a resilient vacuum cup member 131 fixedly secured across the downwardly opening lower section of the pedestal body 117. A circumferential flange portion 133 of the cup member 131 is frictionally constrained about the flange portion 135 of the pedestal body 117. The rim portion 137 of the vacuum cup member is adapted to engage the support. surface, providing a sealed cup chamber 139. A crank level 141 and retract pin 143 preferably provides nger operative means for evacuating the chamber 138. A thin flat head portion 145 of pin 143 is fixedly secured in the central area 147 ofthe cup member with the pin shank portion projecting upward. Crank portion 149 of the lever 141 extends through an opening 151 in the retract pin shank portion. Moving the handle portion 153 of the crank lever from a vertical to a horizontal position lis the pin 143 and evacuates the chamber 139 of the vacuum cup mechanism. The shoe-holding apparatus may readily be relocated on a support surface by manipulating the level 141 between a lifted and lowered configuration.

ln using the shoe-holding apparatus and in mounting a shoe on the shoe-'gripping construction 13, a user maycarry out the following substantially simple procedure: a user of the apparatus firmly grasps the shoe and engages the toe sole edge portion B with the forward grip member 17. The shoe is then pressured forwardly, carrying the forward grip member and grip assembly 55 forwardly against the tension of spring member 21. The shoe and grip assembly 55 are moved forwardly until the shoe heel part is directly over the heel supporting area of top plate 29. While holding the shoe in a forward position the user grasps thehandle portion 111 of the rearward grip member 19, retracts the grip member and seats the shoe heel on the rearward area of the frame top plate. The shoe is then cam'ed further forward to engage the front surface F of the shoe heel with the abutment lug39 and the rearward grip member released to clampingly secure the heel between the lug and curved upper section 81 of the grip member. The shoe may be removed from the shoe-gripping construction by carrying out the above-described procedure substantially in a converse manner. v

It should be understood at this point that a preferred embodiment has been illustrated but that variations are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. One such variation, for instance, could be the use' of a single spring in place of springs 21 and 23 and the invention could also utilize a preshaped or curved leaf member rather than the flexible or spring leaf element 47 illustrated without departing from the invention.

While the present invention is shown and described in an embodiment presently considered as being a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

l claim:

1. Apparatus for holding a shoe of a type havinga sole and heel thereon, comprising in combination:

a. shoe-gripping frame defining a horizontal upper surface adapted to support the under surface of the sole of a shoe, said upper surface having a shoek heel abutment lug thereon; v

b. selective gripping means adapted to removably support said shoe on the upper frame surface including a forward grip member for engaging the sole edge at the toe of a shoe, said forward grip member being attached to an elongated leaf element at one end thereof, and said leaf element being slidably connected to said frame and being adapted to urge said forward grip member downward for binding the shoe sole edge to said upper frame surface, and said selective gripping means also having a rearward grip member adapted for engaging the shoe heel;

c. forward and rearward guide means for guiding respectively said forward and rearward grip members in converging and diverging movement longitudinally of said frame, said forward guide means having a guide channel structure formed longitudinally in the upper portion of said frame for guiding said elongated leaf element in sliding movement substantially parallel to said frame upper surface;

. spring means having forward and rearwardspring action operative to converge said forward and rearward grip members horizontally, and being connected to the other end of said leaf element for pulling said forward grip member horizontally and downward for binding said shoe sole to said upper surface, and also being .connected to said rearward gripping member urging said rearward gripping member towards said abutment lug for clamping the heel of said shoe between said lug and said gripping member;

e. means for selectively adjusting the spring means tension for operatively permitting di`erent size shoes to be gripped by said apparatus; and

f. means for mounting said shoe-gripping construction to a support surface for mounting.

2i The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for selectively adjusting the spring means includes a forward spring having a hand operated selectively adjustable spring anchor means disposed between said frame and said forward spring, operative in permitting selective different shoe sizes and in varying the gripping force of said forward grip members of said apparatus.

3. Shoe-holding apparatus as defined in claim 2 where said spring anchor means includes an opening extending transversely through said frame, and a crosspin member transversely secured on that end of said forward spring remote from said leaf spring element and nger grip knobs on opposite ends of said crosspin adapted to be simultaneously grasped whereby the crosspin may be moved rearwardly against spring tension for connection on one of a plurality of anchor hook elements, each said pair of hook elements being secured to said frame.

4. Shoe-holding apparatus as defined in claim 3 including sharp pointed protrusions formed on the inward surface of said rearward grip member operative to engage the back edge surface of a shoe heel thereby providing anti-slip means and increasing the gripping action of the rearward grip member on the heel of the shoe. 

1. Apparatus for holding a shoe of a type having a Sole and heel thereon, comprising in combination: a. shoe-gripping frame defining a horizontal upper surface adapted to support the under surface of the sole of a shoe, said upper surface having a shoe heel abutment lug thereon; b. selective gripping means adapted to removably support said shoe on the upper frame surface including a forward grip member for engaging the sole edge at the toe of a shoe, said forward grip member being attached to an elongated leaf element at one end thereof, and said leaf element being slidably connected to said frame and being adapted to urge said forward grip member downward for binding the shoe sole edge to said upper frame surface, and said selective gripping means also having a rearward grip member adapted for engaging the shoe heel; c. forward and rearward guide means for guiding respectively said forward and rearward grip members in converging and diverging movement longitudinally of said frame, said forward guide means having a guide channel structure formed longitudinally in the upper portion of said frame for guiding said elongated leaf element in sliding movement substantially parallel to said frame upper surface; d. spring means having forward and rearward spring action operative to converge said forward and rearward grip members horizontally, and being connected to the other end of said leaf element for pulling said forward grip member horizontally and downward for binding said shoe sole to said upper surface, and also being connected to said rearward gripping member urging said rearward gripping member towards said abutment lug for clamping the heel of said shoe between said lug and said gripping member; e. means for selectively adjusting the spring means tension for operatively permitting different size shoes to be gripped by said apparatus; and f. means for mounting said shoe-gripping construction to a support surface for mounting.
 2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for selectively adjusting the spring means includes a forward spring having a hand operated selectively adjustable spring anchor means disposed between said frame and said forward spring, operative in permitting selective different shoe sizes and in varying the gripping force of said forward grip members of said apparatus.
 3. Shoe-holding apparatus as defined in claim 2 where said spring anchor means includes an opening extending transversely through said frame, and a crosspin member transversely secured on that end of said forward spring remote from said leaf spring element and finger grip knobs on opposite ends of said crosspin adapted to be simultaneously grasped whereby the crosspin may be moved rearwardly against spring tension for connection on one of a plurality of anchor hook elements, each said pair of hook elements being secured to said frame.
 4. Shoe-holding apparatus as defined in claim 3 including sharp pointed protrusions formed on the inward surface of said rearward grip member operative to engage the back edge surface of a shoe heel thereby providing anti-slip means and increasing the gripping action of the rearward grip member on the heel of the shoe. 